"Finally, the State has focused on housing and has voted to promote solutions to the growing problems of Portuguese youth and families," said APEMIP president Luís Lima, quoted in a statement released today. At stake is the Affordable Rental Program, designed to encourage the provision of housing rental accommodation at reduced prices, which will come into force on July 1, according to the Government's decree-law, published on May 22 in Diário da Republic. On a voluntary basis, landlords will be able to benefit from a total tax exemption on "property income resulting from leases or sublease under the Affordable Rental Program" in Personal Income Tax (IRS) and (IRC) as long as income is less than 20% of market prices and lessees do not have to bear an effort rate of more than 35%. APEMIP admits that this program "will take time to produce effects in the market", but considers that "it gives a positive signal and promotes an increase in the supply of housing directed to the middle class", saying that it is the sector "who else is the to find alternatives to housing to the best of their ability. " This association states in the same note that the regulation of this program provides that the maximum price of an income varies between 525 euros and 1700 euros, depending on the county in which the housing is inserted. "Owners who join this program will have tax benefits as long as the rent is 20% below market prices and tenants do not have to endure a tax of over 35%. the rental market directed at the middle class, "says Luís Lima. The president of APEMIP highlighted the importance of the measure "for young people and families in need," adding that "there are already other instruments such as the public offering of housing, which will also be promoted by the State in conjunction with local authorities." Regarding the impact that this program will have on the market, Luís Lima says that "it can only be positive", admitting, however, that the program "may not solve all the existing problems, but it will certainly give a boost." "There will now be a process of adaptation and adherence," says the president of APEMIP, showing conviction that "owners will join." "There has to be some reason in the market and we can not want eight or 80. The state is taking the steps it has to take, and it is going in the right way: that of promoting the offer, that's where we have to act," he concluded. In the 308 counties of the country, which are listed by increasing numbers of the maximum incomes in the Accessible Rental Program, 165 occupy step 1, such as. Paços de Ferreira, Paredes, Penafiel, Pombal and Portalegre, according to the ordinance published on Thursday in Diário da República, which determines the income limits applicable under the Accessible Rental Program.